Despite Ward ultimately being labeled a "one-hit wonder," the song generated an extraordinary cultural impact.
The massive success earned Anita Ward a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1980 Grammy Awards. Ring My Bell (Original Mix)
In the 1990s, Ward discovered she wasn't being paid royalties after the song was licensed for Burger King commercials because the label mistakenly assumed she had passed away. She fought for her contract rights and secured her 25% share of the revenues. Despite Ward ultimately being labeled a "one-hit wonder,"
It stands as one of the earliest high-profile records to feature the Synare electronic drum . This created the high-pitched, spacey "pew-pew" or "whoop" sound signaling the first beat of every bar. She fought for her contract rights and secured
The song reached No. 1 on three major U.S. charts simultaneously: the Billboard Hot 100, the Soul Singles chart, and the Disco Top 80. It also dominated abroad, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.
The track is famous for introducing new electronic elements to the commercial pop space.
Lattisaw signed with a different record label, forcing Knight to shelve the project.